Director, Innovation and Online Learning

Tyler Junior College gives equal consideration to all applicants for admission, employment and participation in its programs and activities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, veteran status or limited English proficiency (LEP).

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

All positions are on-site, located in Tyler, Texas, unless otherwise stated in the job posting.

ABOUT

The Director of Innovation and Online Learning provides visionary leadership for Tyler Junior College's institutional learning ecosystem, encompassing faculty and staff development. distance education, and digital learning innovation. The Director establishes institutional frameworks that strengthen workforce readiness, instructional quality, and organizational effectiveness while ensuring that all online and hybrid courses meet state, federal, and accreditor standards (SACSCOC, THECB, USDOE). This role provides the vision, leadership, planning, operational management, and evaluation of all components of Distance Education and Professional Development for the College. In collaboration with divisional and external partners, the Director aligns collegewide learning initiatives with institutional goals, oversees quality assurance systems, and drives innovation through data-informed decision-making. Through collaborative leadership and a sustained commitment to excellence, this position fosters a culture of continuous learning, engagement, and student success that advances the College's mission and strategic priorities.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Primary Responsibilities

Distance Education

• Develops, articulates, and drives institutional strategy for professional learning and digital education, ensuring alignment with the College's mission, accreditation standards, and long-term strategic goals;
• Develops vision and strategies for growing distance education and expanding the development of online educational programs that offer substantive value for learners;
• Provides guidance and leadership for institutional efforts to implement responsible Al adoption in teaching and learning, ensuring alignment with academic standards, innovation goals, and ethical practices:
• Establishes and enforces institutional policies and compliance frameworks governing online and hybrid course quality in alignment with SACSCOC, THECB, and USDOE standards;
• Oversees the identification, implementation, integration, and maintenance of the college's learning management system;
• Designs, oversees, and evaluates the institutional strategy for the online student experience, ensuring high-quality digital engagement, accessibility, and support throughout the student learning journey;
• Leads the development and institutionalization of data-driven quality assurance systems that ensure compliance, readiness, and academic integrity across all digital learning environments;
• Leads strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to advance institutional initiatives, secure resources, and promote academic innovation:
• Advances institutional performance and learning outcomes through review of analytics, performance dashboards, and impact measures;
• Provides oversight and fiscal stewardship for the integrated Learning and Development and Distance Education budgets, leveraging institutional, grant-funded (e.g., Title 111), and donor-supported resources to advance strategic initiatives and institutional priorities;
• Provides direction, in collaboration with academic and student services, to provide online students with support services, including academic advising, tutoring, and technical support;
• Provides guidance for academic leadership to ensure student experience is optimal and consistent across the institution:
• Serves as ex-officio on the distance education committee to gather input and seek guidance to ensure the success of online learning initiatives;
• Oversees efforts to make online courses and materials accessible to all students, including those with disabilities, and ensure compliance with relevant accessibility standards;
• Oversees the development and implementation of faculty resources to ensure best practices in online and hybrid instruction;
• Provides leadership for the evaluation, selection, and maintenance of online learning technologies that best support the college's course offerings;
• Serves as the institutional representative and advocate for teaching, learning, and digital education at the local, state, and national levels:
• Engages in professional research and represents the College as a thought leader in learning innovation, digital education, and organizational development.

Learning and Development

• Provides leadership over all Center operations, setting institutional priorities, policy frameworks, and performance outcomes for Learning and Development and Distance Education;
• Sets institutional priorities and standards for professional learning and instructional excellence, ensuring collegewide integration of high-impact practices and continuous improvement systems;
• Establishes a comprehensive faculty mentorship and peer leadership framework that advances instructional excellence, fosters collaboration, and supports faculty success across alI teaching modalities;
• Provides leadership, supervision, and mentorship to Innovation and Online Learning team, fostering a climate of innovation, accountability, and growth;
• Provides direction and oversight of institutional faculty development frameworks, ensuring integration of active and experiential learning, instructional innovation, and digital pedagogy;
• Provides oversight of staff development initiatives, ensuring alignment with institutional goals for employee engagement, workforce development, and organizational effectiveness:
• Collaborates with divisional leadership to align leadership development and faculty and staff training with institutional priorities and workforce planning:
• Establishes institutional recognition frameworks and faculty engagement models that promote peer leadership and teaching excellence:
• Establishes institutional recognition frameworks and faculty engagement models that promote peer leadership and teaching excellence:
• Champions a collegewide culture of continuous learning and innovation, ensuring professional development opportunities align with institutional growth and employee engagement goals;
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of institutional strategy and academic excellence.

COMPETENCIES

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated expertise in accreditation and regulatory frameworks (SACSCOC, THECB, USDOE, RSI, ADA, Quality Matters) with the ability to interpret, apply, and lead institutional compliance strategy for distance education and professional learning;
• Advanced knowledge of emerging trends, national standards, and evidence-based practices in organizational learning, faculty development, and workforce innovation; ability to translate trends into institutional policy and strategic initiatives;
• Comprehensive understanding of educational technology ecosystems, digital learning infrastructure, and online pedagogy to inform long-range strategic planning and institutional investment decisions;
• Proven leadership and organizational management skills, including the ability to lead cross-divisional teams, influence institutional change, and foster a culture of innovation and accountability;
• Exceptional relationship management and collaboration skills; able to build consensus and cultivate partnerships across academic, administrative, and external constituencies to advance institutional goals;
• Strategic innovator who drives institutional transformation through creative program design, change leadership, and data-informed decision-making;
• Recognized authority in digital learning and instructional excellence, capable of guiding institutional policy, resource prioritization, and innovation in teaching and learning;
• Demonstrated competency in learning management systems and technology resources such as Canvas LMS, Office 365, Camtasia, Panopto, or similar technologies preferred;
• Extensive higher education experience preferred, with demonstrated understanding of academic culture, shared governance, and faculty development practices;

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct supervision

Multiple employees: Five (5) full-time, one (1) part-time, and three (3) student assistants

Work Environment: Work in a typical office setting with the potential for work outside of normal business hours

Physical Demands: Sitting, walking, standing, bending, and repetitive typing

Travel Required: Yes – 20% minimal

If travel is required, the candidate must have and maintain a current, valid Texas driver’s license and an acceptable driving record

WHO YOU ARE

Required Education

Master's degree required in Educational Technology, Instructional Design, Online Teaching and Learning, Educational Leadership, Adult Education/Learning, Higher Education Administration, Curriculum and Instruction, Organizational Development/Human Resources Development, or a related field.

Required Experience

5 years of related experience in distance education and/or learning and development

Preferred Education

A doctorate degree in a related field.

Preferred Experience

• Extensive experience with the administration, maintenance, and support of common LMS platforms.
• Experience with active and/or experiential learning
• Teaching experience in a higher education setting

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EXPECTATIONS

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
• Will have contact – in person, by email, or by phone – with staff, students, and the general public.
• Must exhibit a sensitivity to and an understanding of the diverse academic, socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and to staff and students with disabilities.
• Regular and punctual attendance is an essential function of each employee.

This is a security-sensitive position. Candidates will be subject to a criminal background check.